Planta Med 2022; 88(13): 1152-1162
DOI: 10.1055/a-1690-3566
Biological and Pharmacological Activity
Original Papers

The NO-cGMP-K+ Channel Pathway Participates in Diuretic and Cardioprotective Effects of Blutaparon portulacoides in Spontaneously Hypertensive Rats

Patrícia Regina Terço Leite
1   Laboratory of Cardiovascular Pharmacology (LaFaC), Faculty of Health Sciences, Federal University of Grande Dourados, Dourados, MS, Brazil
,
Bethânia Rosa Lorençone
1   Laboratory of Cardiovascular Pharmacology (LaFaC), Faculty of Health Sciences, Federal University of Grande Dourados, Dourados, MS, Brazil
,
Karyne Garcia Tafarelo Moreno
1   Laboratory of Cardiovascular Pharmacology (LaFaC), Faculty of Health Sciences, Federal University of Grande Dourados, Dourados, MS, Brazil
,
Katiana Simões Lopes
1   Laboratory of Cardiovascular Pharmacology (LaFaC), Faculty of Health Sciences, Federal University of Grande Dourados, Dourados, MS, Brazil
,
Aline Aparecida Macedo Marques
1   Laboratory of Cardiovascular Pharmacology (LaFaC), Faculty of Health Sciences, Federal University of Grande Dourados, Dourados, MS, Brazil
,
Clara Soligo Fortini
1   Laboratory of Cardiovascular Pharmacology (LaFaC), Faculty of Health Sciences, Federal University of Grande Dourados, Dourados, MS, Brazil
,
Rhanany Alan Calloi Palozi
1   Laboratory of Cardiovascular Pharmacology (LaFaC), Faculty of Health Sciences, Federal University of Grande Dourados, Dourados, MS, Brazil
,
Mariana Dalmagro
5   Postgraduate Program in Biotechnology Applied to Agriculture, Paranaense University, Umuarama, Paraná, Brazil
,
Cândida Aparecida Leite Kassuya
2   Laboratory of Immunoinflammation and Cell Culture, Faculty of Health Sciences, Federal University of Grande Dourados, Dourados, MS, Brazil
,
Ariany Carvalho dos Santos
3   Laboratory of Histology, Faculty of Health Sciences, Federal University of Grande Dourados, Dourados, MS, Brazil
,
Marcos José Salvador
4   Institute of Biology, Department of Plant Biology, University of Campinas, Campinas, São Paulo, Brazil
,
1   Laboratory of Cardiovascular Pharmacology (LaFaC), Faculty of Health Sciences, Federal University of Grande Dourados, Dourados, MS, Brazil
› Author Affiliations
Supported by: Fundação de Apoio ao Desenvolvimento do Ensino, Ciência e Tecnologia do Estado de Mato Grosso do Sul 59/300.046/2015 and 71/700.135/2018
Supported by: Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico 449464/2014-8 and 407685/2018-9

Abstract

Blutaparon portulacoides is a Brazilian plant species that is widely used in folk medicine. The present study investigated the role of an aqueous extract of B. portulacoides against hypertension in spontaneously hypertensive rats. The aqueous extract of B. portulacoides was obtained from the whole plant. Its chemical profile was analyzed by ultraperformance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry. The acute toxicity of the aqueous extract of B. portulacoides was evaluated in female Wistar rats. Male 6-month-old spontaneously hypertensive rats then received the aqueous extract of B. portulacoides (30, 100, and 300 mg/kg), hydrochlorothiazide (25 mg/kg), or vehicle once daily for 28 days. On days 1, 14, and 28, the diuretic effects of the aqueous extract of B. portulacoides were evaluated. The role of prostaglandins and the nitric oxide-cyclic guanosine monophosphate-potassium channel pathway in the diuretic activity of the aqueous extract of B. portulacoides was also investigated. At the end of the treatment, hepatic and renal biochemical markers, serum nitrotyrosine, malondialdehyde, nitrite, and aldosterone levels, and angiotensin-converting enzyme activity were measured. The electrocardiographic profile, blood pressure, and renal vascular reactivity were also assessed. The heart, kidneys, and liver were collected to determine relative organ weight, histopathology, and cardiac morphometry. Caffeic acid, ferulic acid, and several flavonoids were identified in the aqueous extract of B. portulacoides. No signs of toxicity were observed. Prolonged treatment with the aqueous extract of B. portulacoides (300 mg/kg) induced significant diuretic activity by activating the nitric oxide-cyclic guanosine monophosphate-potassium channel pathway. These effects reduced blood pressure and oxidative stress and prevented renal vascular dysfunction and left ventricular hypertrophy that was induced by hypertension. Overall, the present data suggest that the aqueous extract of B. portulacoides has important diuretic and cardioprotective effects by activation of the nitric oxide-cyclic guanosine monophosphate-potassium channel pathway.



Publication History

Received: 24 August 2021

Accepted after revision: 08 November 2021

Article published online:
17 March 2022

© 2022. Thieme. All rights reserved.

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